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Blues lack AFL leaders, Malthouse says

Greg Buckle and Adrian Warren

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse says someone needs to take charge for the Blues out on the field after their upset AFL loss to Greater Western Sydney.

And he says it's not his job to motivate 12th-placed Carlton, who have suffered their fourth consecutive defeat and ninth of the season ahead of next weekend's derby with Collingwood.

Skipper Marc Murphy's late withdrawal with hamstring tightness didn't help last year's semi-finalists, who were unable to back up solid performances in the previous two rounds against Geelong and Hawthorn.

Coach Leon Cameron's 14th-placed Giants claimed consecutive AFL wins for the first time in their three-year history, outrunning the tired-looking Carlton 15.10 (100) to 14.8 (92) at Spotless Stadium on Sunday.

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"On the surface, we've played football at the intensity that's required against the top sides," Malthouse said.

"And against sides that are not in the eight, for unknown reasons to me, we do not hold that intensity and that's so disappointing.

"When we needed things to take place on the ground, they weren't taking place on the ground and that gets down to people taking charge.

"You can say it's leadership. I think it's internal leadership, internal being the player himself, and be responsible to will yourself to win a game.

"Last week, I was probably disappointed for the players. This week, I'm very disappointed in (them).

"If coaches have to inspire players to win, we're in the wrong market."

Lance Franklin kicked off round 14 in spectacular style on Friday night with four vital goals in a low-scoring game including the only two majors of the final term to lead Sydney to a 9.8 (62) to 7.9 (51) victory against Richmond at the MCG.

Port Adelaide's Jay Schulz surged five goals clear in the Coleman Medal standings after bagging eight on Saturday. The competition leaders demolished the Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128) to 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval, ahead of next Sunday's Showdown with Adelaide.

Adelaide fought back from a six-goal deficit during the third term to go down by nine points, 15.11 (101) to 14.8 (92), in Saturday night's clash with a fired-up Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Brad Sewell was best-afield in Hawthorn's 17.13 (115) to 13.8 (86) win over Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

Eighth-placed Gold Coast produced the first upset of the round with a win over skipper Gary Ablett's old side Geelong on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium. Harley Bennell kicked six goals in the home side's 17.16 (118) to 11.12 (78) win.

Fremantle's famous defence held up magnificently against Brisbane, as the Dockers claimed their ninth win, 15.15 (105) to 3.4 (22), in wet conditions at Patersons Stadium on Saturday.

West Coast had too much midfield class for St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday as the Eagles claimed their sixth win of the season, 15.13 (103) to 10.10 (70).

North Melbourne stayed in the top eight with a 15.17 (107) to 10.6 (66) win over Melbourne at the MCG, although the Kangaroos will await scans on skipper Andrew Swallow's knee injury.